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October 31, 2009

Nearly $2 million spent on Measure I

Who's spending what on Measure I?

This is initiative that allows Walnut Creek voters to decide Tuesday on whether they want, effectively, a new 92,000-square-foot Neiman Marcus in downtown Walnut Creek. Here's what the Contra Costa Times is reporting today, after checking out the latest campaign finance documents filed by both sides on the issue.

$1.4 million--What Broadway Plaza owner Macerich Co. has contributed so far to the "Yes on I" campaign, spending $1 million so far.

$700,000--What Taubman Centers, the owner of Sunvalley Mall, has contributed to defeat Measure I, spending nearly all of it.

Plus: Yes for Walnut Creek, a group of residents and business leaders who support Measure I, have contributed $50,000.

UPDATE: (Above) The view from Sign Hill. Isn't that what you call it? At Ygnacio Valley and Homestead. As you may have noticed, Measure I opponents have not spent much money on campaign signs to post around downtown, unlike the Yes on I side. But one Taubman certainly hasn't expended much money on campaign signs to post around town, but one dedicated opponent of Measure I decided to get the message across the homemade, old-fashioned way with cardboard and magic markers.

19 comments:

Anonymous
said...

I work for a private university located in Palo Alto, a city where high-end shops abound. My co-workers greatly mock this great city for the unabashed materialism of les nouveaux riches. I really wish this Measure I nonsense would just go away. First the overpriced luxury library, and now this. How embarrassing.

Thinking that a new library is both overpriced and luxurious does not make one anti-education! In fact, it sounds like this person is an independant thinker who is embarassed by those who feel the only way to have a nice place to live and work is by glitz and glamour.

I am also turned off by the "unabashed materialism" that Neiman represents. Will it really improve our "quality of life"? More traffic, another stoplight on Broadway and that huge sign domineering over our downtown.

Anon 3:52,I did not post on this library cost issue before. If you have data to support your criticism, please share the numbers. Sorry for intruding on your day! It just bugs me that you cannot do your own research before you criticize.Anon 3:31

Don't you all realize that the ONLY reason this is even an issue up for voting is that Taubman is paying for it because THEY want Neiman for their own development??? You can't really be that naive to think they give a s**t about Walnut Creek traffic and parking. We have terrific facilities and this will bring in $400K in tax revenue annually for parks, arts, services, police, and senior centers. End of story.

Check out Antioch and Pittsburg downtowns. Plenty of parking. Plenty of vacant storefronts. But no revenues for the city. They're broke.

An outside entity is doing whatever they can to divide Walnut Creek. Don't believe the lies. Vote Yes on I.